Songs All Around You

So many ways to write. So many ideas all around. Day 28. Still on  fire. A little resistance creeped in around the 18th, which is interesting, cause it was my Birthday and I thought for sure I'm gonna kick ass. I guess I made it my priority to thank everyone on Facebook instead for the many Birthday wishes. I ended up singing my idea on my phone on my way to dinner.

My major breakthough has been lyrics. I decided that every song has to have lyrics. I usually take a pretty long time to write lyrics, especially if it's for my personal project. Yet, under pressure, knowing I only have a certain amount of time, and I need to complete them, I do. While the first draft is most likely not the final, what matters is to get creative, keep "throwing up" what comes out, brainstorm, let your train of though run it's route. Make up or enhance a story and run with it. To just let it flow and not over think or over analyze.

Getting up, taking a break is most definitely working for me. I purposely don't  try to find the right words while on break time. Instead, I make calls, play with the dog, completely switch off. I than return to the track with a fresh mind, and usually everything falls into place. (for the first draft at least)

Not only does it become easier, it's fun and exciting each and every day to just explore without the pressure of having to sound like something or someone or fit into a genre. Of course I want the songs to be great, find a home for them, ideally in film/tv or on someones album but writing just for the sake of perfecting the craft and fun takes the pressure away and get's you in the place you want to be. The "zone".  One of my favorite quotes "Nothing Happens Till Something Moves". [Einstein] Let your guard down stuff starts to move. And let's be honest, a song is hardly ever done in one sitting. It's all in the re-write.

I've collaborated with a few people for far, not as many as I had hoped but the ones involved  are super talented and fun. One person gave me a metal track and my first thought was "so not inspired, so not what I do" than I just muted everything except the drum and bass and did my thing (apologizing in advance to my collaborator, lol ) Thankfully he was open minded enough and took the leash off.

I started out as a solo writer and still love writing on my own, however, collaboration takes a project to another level. It's a challenge and a test. Do you listen to your ego or what's best for the song?  Obviously, the song always wins.

You're so much more vulnerable when collaborating. Sharing a half finished track or a raw,  out of tune vocal idea with someone can be uncomfortable for many of us, it's like showing up naked to their party. Trust is essential.

Although I did consider sharing some of the songs, I just listened to a bunch of them and they do sound kinda shitty for the most part, as the focus was not to fully produce but write fully structured song a day instead of just a hook or a few lines.

Plus, I don't want to spoil the fun that's coming in August, so bare with me until I reveal the next step!

Stay tuned for August mission!
xoxo
JVB

Every Student Is A Teacher

I give voice lessons a few times a week. I find teaching extremely rewarding, I get to help others become confident singers/performers, encourage them to be creative and to embrace their own unique sound and style.
Inspiring and motivating others gives me great pleasure, seeing them excel and having fun while they're learning is what it's all about! Plus, I get to remind myself to follow my own advice!
I have this new student, she's 5 years old, adorable and smart. She told me that she writes her own songs. So I asked if she would like to sing one of her songs for me. She replied "sure, but I need the piano", so we switched seats.
Her eyes started to search for ideas while tapping her pointy finger on her cheek..."let me think" she said...than she hit the highest note on the piano (twice) followed by the lowest (twice), she repeated it a few more times and finished off with a random note; a little above the middle C.
She looked at me with a big smile and said "that's it". I said, wow, that's a very short song...and with confidence she affirmed..."yes, that's it"
I thought it was adorable. She didn't question her ability to make up a song, she just went for it. I didn't correct her by saying, well that's not a real song. Who am I to judge? I wanted her to be creative and express herself and she did the best she could. And that is what really matters, to start wherever we are, to just go for it.
As creative people we tend to get a little too serious, trying to be perfect at all times, overthink and over ananlyze. It sucks the creative juice and fun right out of us. Of course we need to be great at what we do in order to be successful but we shall not forget that it's ok to suck sometimes, to write or create something that may never be recognized, seen or heard.
We can only get better by doing, learning, listening and keeping an open mind.
Cheers to more fun!
PS: If you are interested in finding out more about my teaching, visit thevocalgym.com ;)